HWRSD School Committee

HAMPDEN-WILBRAHAM REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
School Committee Meeting
Tuesday, September 12, 2006 @ 7:00 p.m.
Thornton W. Burgess Middle School

 Present:
School Committee Members : Scott Chapman, William Bickley, D. John McCarthy, Lisa Morace, Peter Salerno, Gilles Turcotte and Student Representatives, Doug Moore and Rebecca DeSanti.
Administrators : Paul Gagliarducci and Donna Scanlon
Guests: John D. Flynn, Hampden Selectman; Robert Page, Allen Kinney, and other members of Concerned Citizens of Wilbraham; Suzanne McLaughlin, The Republican; Natasha Clark, The Reminder; and John Lovejoy, MRHS Building Committee
Absent : Marianne Desmond

Mr. Chapman called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. and made a few comments in observance of the 5 th anniversary of 9/11 yesterday.

 

  1. General (see attached)
    1. Public Comment
      Mr. Page read a prepared statement again asking the School Committee to stop the actions of Chairman Chapman. He told the Committee that he was served a trespass notice recently by the Wilbraham Police Department prohibiting him from entering school buildings. Mr. Kinney read a prepared statement about the need for this issue to be settled soon at the local level by the School Committee. Mr. Lovejoy read a prepared statement regarding the MRHS Building Committee’s work being guided by the State Inspector General’s office and its comprehensive publication entitled, “Designing and Constructing Public Facilities”. He also questioned the statements made, as well as the qualifications of those making them, in the document submitted by the Concerned Citizens of Wilbraham entitled “Plan B”, noting that their level of expertise should be in line with the Inspector General’s standards. Mr. Chapman noted he was exercising the Chairman’s prerogative in responding to comments. He said that Mr. Page will be treated like any other citizen and that absent a public meeting or function, he is not to be in school buildings without reasonable authorization. He further stated that he was not willing to compromise on school safety. Regarding this issue, Mr. Salerno read a recent letter from Attorney Toomey stating that the Chairman had authority to take these ministerial type actions back in August.
    2. Minutes
      • Regular Meeting – August 22, 2006
        The Minutes of the August 22 nd meeting were reviewed. Mr. Turcotte made a motion to accept the Minutes as written. Mr. Salerno seconded and it was approved. Mr. McCarthy abstained.
      • Executive Session – August 22, 2006
        The Minutes of the Executive Session for August 22 nd were reviewed. Mr. Turcotte made a motion to accept the Minutes as written. Mr. Salerno seconded and it was approved. Mr. McCarthy abstained.
      • Executive Session – June 27, 2006 (Tabled)
      • Executive Session – September 5, 2006
        The Minutes of the Executive Session for September 5 th were reviewed. Mr. Turcotte made a motion to accept the Minutes as written. Mr. McCarthy seconded and it was approved.
    3. Student Representatives
      Doug Moore and Rebecca DeSanti reported on the first days of school and that things went pretty well. The activities and clubs are all just getting started.
  2. Financial Issues (see attached)
    1. Approve Warrants
      The warrants were approved.
  3. Other Business (see attached)
    1. Appoint Attendance Officer SY 06-07
      Per Massachusetts General Laws, the School Committee is required to appoint an Attendance Officer. Mr. Salerno made a motion that in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws that we appoint Edward Lennon as Attendance Officer for the District for the 2006-2007 school year, at a rate of $23/hour, not to exceed $2,500 unless authorized. Mr. Bickley seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. There was some discussion about increasing the maximum amount to allow for sufficient time to do the necessary investigations.
    2. Five Year Overview – Power Point Presentation
      Dr. Gagliarducci made a Power Point Presentation to the Committee reviewing various district efforts from 2001 through 2006 in the areas of facilities, curriculum, instruction, technology, security, and budgeting. He also highlighted some plans for the future.
  4. Correspondence/Written Reports Received (see attached)
    1. Superintendent’s Report
      In addition to his report, Dr. Gagliarducci noted the district’s most recent federal grant of $326,000, which will enable us to expand emergency planning and safety capabilities with our LPVEC partner communities.
    2. Enrollment Report for September 1st
      Dr. Scanlon had previously distributed the enrollment report as of September 1 st. Currently there are 3,802 students enrolled in the district, which is an overall decrease of 16 students compared to the October 1, 2005, report.
    3. District Curriculum Guides
      Dr. Scanlon had previously distributed a copy of the District’s new curriculum guides. These guides will be available at the upcoming open houses.
    4. Misc. Correspondence (green folders)
      Mr. Chapman previously noted some of the miscellaneous correspondence, including a newspaper article on the district with Dawn Bechtel from Picayune, MS, and an invitation to Senator Kennedy to officially present the newest federal grant award.
  5. Personnel
    The School Committee noted the following appointments, resignations, leaves of absence, and retirements:
    1. Appointments (replacements unless noted otherwise*)
      • Christine Dupuis, Para @ MT, eff 8-30-06
      • Teresa Ferrentino, Kindergarten Teacher @ GM, eff 8-28-06
      • Sue Fitts, Admin Asst to the Principal @ TWB & GM, eff 8-28-06
      • Erin Fuller, Spanish Teacher @ MRHS, eff 8-28-06
      • Daniel Handzel, Admin Asst to the Principal @ WMS, eff 8-28-06
      • Randy Hannum, Custodian @ MRHS, eff 8-28-06
      • Christine Johnston, Gr 6 Teacher @ SRS, eff 8-28-06
      • Karl Kisner, Chemistry Teacher @ MRHS, eff 8-28-06
      • Kathleen Leo, Para @ SHS, eff 8-29-06, eff 8-29-06
      • Gisela Levin, LT Sub Gr 2 Teacher @ SHS, eff 8-28-06
      • Alan Levinson, Para @ MRHS, eff 8-28-06
      • Lisa Person, PT PreSchool Teacher @ GM, eff 8-28-06
      • Robin Rabideau, PT MCAS Math Tutor, eff 8-28-06
      • Michael Santaniello, Custodian @ MEM, eff 8-15-06
      • Laurie Anne Shinkle, LT Sub English Teacher @ TWB, eff 8-28-06
      • Michelle Siddle, LT Sub 4 th Gr Teacher @ GM, eff 8-28-06
      • Lisa Sternberg, Gr 2 Teacher @ GM, eff 8-28-06
      • Laurie Sullivan LT Sub Gr 3 Teacher @ GM, eff 8-28-06
      • Paula Talmadge, School to Career Coordinator @ MRHS, eff 8-28-06
    2. Resignations
      • Kelly Cianfarani, Para @ SRS, eff 7-30-06
      • Gina Koralczyk, Para @ MEM, eff 7-17-06
      • Stephen Nembirkow, Director of Business Services, eff 8-31-06
      • Marianne Smith, School Adjustment Counselor, eff 7-21-06
      • Georgina Trebbe, Para @ SHS, eff 8-20-06
      • Jeff Vedovelli, Courier/Maintenance @ MRHS, eff 8-1-06
    3. Leaves of Absence
      • Judith Farrar, 2 nd Gr Teacher @ SHS, SY 06-07 (childrear)
    4. Retirements
      • Arthur Tipaldi, English Teacher @ MRHS, eff 6-30-07
  6. New Agenda Items (for upcoming meetings)
    Future agenda items were reviewed:
    1. Update on Proposed Changes in SPED (September)
    2. Class Ranking & Related Issues Identified w/Timelines & Tasks (September)
    3. Capital Projects Review
    4. District Improvement Plan (September)
    5. Grants Update (September)

As there was need for Executive Session for the purpose of discussing a confidential student matter, Mr. Chapman asked for a motion for Executive Session. Mr. Turcotte made a motion to convene Executive Session and Mr. McCarthy seconded. A roll call was taken with Ms. Morace, Mr. Bickley, Mr. Chapman, Mr. McCarthy, Mr. Salerno, and Mr. Turcotte voting in favor. The Committee returned to regular session and immediately adjourned at 8:26 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Karen W. Belsky
Recording Secretary

Next Meeting Scheduled For:
* Tuesday, September 26, 2006, at Minnechaug Regional High School *

HAMPDEN-WILBRAHAM REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
School Committee Meeting
Tuesday, September 12, 2006 @ 7:00 p.m.
Thornton W. Burgess Middle School

 Present:
School Committee Members : Scott Chapman, William Bickley, D. John McCarthy, Lisa Morace, Peter Salerno, and Gilles Turcotte.
Administrators : Paul Gagliarducci and Donna Scanlon
Absent : Marianne Desmond

The meeting convened at 8:11 p.m. An on-going confidential student matter was discussed.

The meeting adjourned at 8:24 p.m. and returned to regular session at 8:25 p.m. to immediately adjourn at 8:26 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Gilles Turcotte
School Committee Secretary